X-53 Touring Rocket

X-53 Touring Rocket was originally the second special mount that players could earn only through the Recruit-A-Friend program. The X-53 was available to players who claimed their RAF reward between April 27, 2010 and July 15, 2012. It replaced the [Swift Zhevra] reward, and was then replaced by the [Heart of the Nightwing].

In Patch 5.4.1, the Recruit-A-Friend program was updated to include a choice of one mount from all current and previous Recruit-A-Friend mounts, and one companion from Asian-only promotions.

The X-53 is one of only two flying mounts available in the game that allow for multiple passengers. It originally scaled to match the speed of your fastest owned mount, up to 310% flight speed.

The X-53 is likely based off the X-52 rocket located in Area 52, Netherstorm.

Using this mount players who don't have cold weather flying can get the explorer achievement with some help from a friend.

Summoning this mount triggers the global cooldown, unlike most other mounts.

As of Patch 4.0.1 the rocket can now be ridden as a ground mount in no fly zones at 100% ground speed.